Post by Most improved city for shoppin on Dec 23, 2003 18:13:46 GMT -5
LIVERPOOL has been voted the most improved city for shopping by retail experts.
It beat local competitors Manchester and Chester to the title which covers changes that took place in the past three years.
With major developments planned like the Grosvenor 1m sq ft retail scheme, more than 80pc of retailers believe trade will continue to improve in the next three years.
However, the study warned the city could lose out to out-of-town retail parks due to a "dirty and untidy" image. Carried out by national property consultants Gerald Eve, it found Liverpool's "greatest weakness lies in the cleanliness of the city itself".
It concluded the city's "image is tarnished somewhat by the appearance of market stalls, which run through the middle of its southern section".
The report also found Clayton Square Shopping Centre to be "rather cramped and hindered by an awkward internal configuration". However, researchers said Liverpool's real strength was in the friendliness of local people.
The city's Capital of Culture win as well as the Grosvenor development will also help catapult it among the country's top shopping destinations.
Steven Grindley, partner at Gerald Eve's Liverpool office, said: "According to our research team, Liverpool city centre's retail offer is strong.
"It scores particularly well for accessibility, parking and public transport. Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture 2008 is seen as a huge opportunity for major retail development, bringing with it missing department stores and expanding designer fascias.
"The 2008 opening of the John Lewis store as an anchor tenant to the Paradise Street scheme will go some way to filling the gap."
Liverpool was voted as the 10th best city for shopping overall, behind winner Glasgow, Birmingham in second place and Manchester in third, but Chester was ranked as low as 20th place.
The study ranked the UK's leading high streets according to overall retail floorspace, the amount of fashion shopping, quality and quantity of top brands, parking, accessibility and personal safety.
Liverpool has seen an increase in designer stores over the past 12 months.
Designer department store Open was launched on Church Street and Vivienne Westwood opened in Cavern Walks last autumn. In September, Karen Millen chose to celebrate 20 years in the business with an exclusive party at her Bold Street branch.
Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Anyone who would have visited the city five years ago and came back today would seen huge improvements.
"Confidence in the city by outside investors is snowballing but we are aware that there are still major improvements to be done to put Liverpool back where it belongs, which is in the top three shopping destinations."
It beat local competitors Manchester and Chester to the title which covers changes that took place in the past three years.
With major developments planned like the Grosvenor 1m sq ft retail scheme, more than 80pc of retailers believe trade will continue to improve in the next three years.
However, the study warned the city could lose out to out-of-town retail parks due to a "dirty and untidy" image. Carried out by national property consultants Gerald Eve, it found Liverpool's "greatest weakness lies in the cleanliness of the city itself".
It concluded the city's "image is tarnished somewhat by the appearance of market stalls, which run through the middle of its southern section".
The report also found Clayton Square Shopping Centre to be "rather cramped and hindered by an awkward internal configuration". However, researchers said Liverpool's real strength was in the friendliness of local people.
The city's Capital of Culture win as well as the Grosvenor development will also help catapult it among the country's top shopping destinations.
Steven Grindley, partner at Gerald Eve's Liverpool office, said: "According to our research team, Liverpool city centre's retail offer is strong.
"It scores particularly well for accessibility, parking and public transport. Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture 2008 is seen as a huge opportunity for major retail development, bringing with it missing department stores and expanding designer fascias.
"The 2008 opening of the John Lewis store as an anchor tenant to the Paradise Street scheme will go some way to filling the gap."
Liverpool was voted as the 10th best city for shopping overall, behind winner Glasgow, Birmingham in second place and Manchester in third, but Chester was ranked as low as 20th place.
The study ranked the UK's leading high streets according to overall retail floorspace, the amount of fashion shopping, quality and quantity of top brands, parking, accessibility and personal safety.
Liverpool has seen an increase in designer stores over the past 12 months.
Designer department store Open was launched on Church Street and Vivienne Westwood opened in Cavern Walks last autumn. In September, Karen Millen chose to celebrate 20 years in the business with an exclusive party at her Bold Street branch.
Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Anyone who would have visited the city five years ago and came back today would seen huge improvements.
"Confidence in the city by outside investors is snowballing but we are aware that there are still major improvements to be done to put Liverpool back where it belongs, which is in the top three shopping destinations."
